An innovative soothing orthotic insole with a new natural human corrective alignment geometry to improve foot and body alignment using an in-depth biomechanics analysis and state of the art 3d modelling, representing a new standard of care and quality

ABSTRACT

An orthotic insole and a method for manufacturing the same, the orthotic insole comprising: an insole body receivable in a footwear, the insole body having a front body end, a rear body end opposite the front body end, a top body surface for receiving a foot of the user and a bottom surface configured to be received on an insole of the footwear, the top insole surface including a plurality of top surface portions, each top surface portion being substantially angled relative to an adjacent top surface portion, the top surface being substantially untwisted along its length between the front and rear body ends such that the top surface remains leveled in a widthwise direction as the top body surface extends from the front body end to the rear body end.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field generally relates to insoles, and more specificallyto orthotic insoles configured in accordance with a plurality ofanatomical mechanical aspects of the natural human body and to methodsof manufacturing orthotic insoles.

BACKGROUND

Foot ailments are common problems experienced by many people. Commonissues include over or under pronation, hammer toe, Morton's neuroma,plantar fasciitis, heel spur also known Lenoir's thorn or LenoirSyndrome, hallux valgus, nerve damage, muscle imbalance, post-fractures,osteoarthritis and arthritis among others, as well as general body pain.A way of remedying these issues is using a plantar orthotic insole.These may be custom-made or prefabricated. Custom-made orthotic insoles,such as those described by patents CA2902596, CA2975649 and CA2339446,are fitted to conform exactly to the user's foot. Prefabricated orthoticinsoles, such as those from patents CA2991380 and CA2825973, aremanufactured and distributed to the general public without an exactfitting to the user's foot. Instead, they conform to standard shoe sizesand widths. The main problems with both of these types of orthoticinsoles is that they vary widely between manufacturers. These areprimarily made for comfort and do not necessarily correct and preventall of the aforementioned ailments. In CA2339446, a custom insole'sdesign method is described. As it is a custom-made orthotic, it ismanufactured to conform to the user's foot. This customization is madeby professionals such as podiatrists using plaster casting as describedin CA2339446, electronically scanned as is the case with CA2902596, orvacuum-molded to the user's foot in the case of CA2975649. In addition,these custom orthotics must then be modified to offer the correctionsrequired. This is typically done by providing orthotics with customgeometric modifications to offer a user-specific solution. These methodsare time consuming, iterative, and will vary according to every user.

Prefabricated insoles, on the other hand, are standardized. However,their main limitation is that they do not offer the same degree ofrelief as custom orthotics. For example, CA2991580 propose an insoleseeking to correct over pronation or supination through adjustablewedges as the main corrective feature, while CA2825973 proposes aninsole with arch support to relieve the plantar fascia.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, there is provided an orthotic insolecomprising: an insole body receivable in a footwear, the insole bodyhaving a front body end, a rear body end opposite the front body end, atop body surface for receiving a foot of the user and a bottom surfaceconfigured to be received on an insole of the footwear, the top insolesurface including a plurality of top surface portions, each top surfaceportion being substantially angled relative to an adjacent top surfaceportion, the top surface being substantially untwisted along its lengthbetween the front and rear body ends such that the top surface remainsleveled in a widthwise direction as the top body surface extends fromthe front body end to the rear body end.

In at least one embodiment, the plurality of surface portions includes aheel portion extending forwardly from the rear end to receive a heel ofa user thereon, the heel portion having a rear end located at the rearend of the insole and a front end, the heel portion extending along aheel portion plane.

In at least one embodiment, the plurality of surface portions furtherincludes a calcaneal inclination portion extending forwardly from theheel portion, the calcaneal inclination portion having a rear endlocated at the front end of the heel portion and a front end, thecalcaneal inclination portion extending forwardly and upwardly from theheel portion.

In at least one embodiment, the calcaneal inclination portion extendsalong a calcaneal inclination portion plane, the calcaneal inclinationportion plane being angled upwardly relative to the heel portion plane.

In at least one embodiment, the calcaneal inclination portion plane isangled relative to the heel portion plane at an angle of between about 3degrees and 7 degrees.

In at least one embodiment, the calcaneal inclination portion plane isangled relative to the heel portion plane at an angle of about 5degrees.

In at least one embodiment, the plurality of surface portions furtherincludes a midfoot portion extending forwardly from the calcanealinclination portion, the midfoot portion having a rear end located atthe front end of the heel portion and a front end.

In at least one embodiment, the plurality of surface portions furtherincludes a metatarsal portion extending forwardly from the midfootportion, the metatarsal portion having a rear end located at the frontend of the midfoot portion and a front end, the metatarsal portionextending downwardly from the rear end to the front end thereof.

In at least one embodiment, the metatarsal portion extends along ametatarsal portion plane, the metatarsal portion plane being angledrelative to the heel portion plane at an angle of between about 9degrees and 19 degrees.

In at least one embodiment, the metatarsal portion plane is angledrelative to the heel portion plane at an angle of about 13.5 degrees.

In at least one embodiment, the orthotic insole further includes atongue member extending forwardly from the front insole end of theinsole body, the front insole end having a first width and the tonguemember having a second width smaller than the first width.

In at least one embodiment, the orthotic insole further includes an archalignment member for receiving a user's foot arch, the arch alignmentmember extending upwardly from the top insole surface and extendingalong an inner body edge of the insole body.

In at least one embodiment, the arch alignment member includes a toparch member face for abutting the user's foot when the user's foot isreceived on the top insole surface and a bottom arch member face.

In at least one embodiment, the arch alignment member further includes aplurality of slots defined in the bottom arch member face, the slotsextending parallel to each other and substantially parallel to thecentral longitudinal body axis.

In at least one embodiment, the top arch member face is convexly curvedupwardly.

In at least one embodiment, the insole body includes a front insole edgelocated at the front insole end, the front insole edge beingsubstantially linear and is angled relative to the central longitudinalbody axis.

In at least one embodiment, the front insole edge is angled relative tothe central longitudinal body axis at an angle of an angle of betweenabout 70 degrees and 90 degrees.

In at least one embodiment, the front insole edge is angled relative tothe central longitudinal body axis at an angle of an angle of 76degrees.

In at least one embodiment, the insole body includes a styloid receivingrecess defined in the top insole surface, the styloid being positioned,sized and shaped to receive a fifth metatarsal styloid of the user'sfoot.

In at least one embodiment, the styloid receiving recess includes afront recess edge located towards the front insole end, a rear recessedge located towards the rear insole end, an outer recess edge extendingalong the outer body edge and an inner recess edge spaced inwardly fromthe outer recess edge.

According to another aspect, there is also provided an orthotic insolecomprising: an insole body receivable in a footwear, the insole bodyextending between front and rear insole ends and along a centrallongitudinal body axis, the insole body further including a top insolesurface for receiving a user's foot and a bottom insole surfaceconfigured to be received on a footwear's insole, the top insole surfaceincluding: a heel portion extending forwardly from the rear insole endto receive a heel of a user thereon, the heel portion having a rear endlocated at the rear insole end and a front end, the heel portionextending along a heel portion plane; a calcaneal inclination portionextending forwardly from the heel portion, the calcaneal inclinationportion having a rear end located at the front end of the heel portionand a front end, the calcaneal inclination portion extending forwardlyand upwardly from the heel portion; a midfoot portion extendingforwardly from the calcaneal inclination portion, the midfoot portionhaving a rear end located at the front end of the heel portion and afront end; and a metatarsal portion extending forwardly from the midfootportion, the metatarsal portion having a rear end located at the frontend of the midfoot portion and a front end, the metatarsal portionextending downwardly from the rear end to the front end thereof.

In at least one embodiment, the calcaneal inclination portion plane isangled relative to the heel portion plane at an angle of between about 3degrees and 7 degrees.

In at least one embodiment, the calcaneal inclination portion plane isangled relative to the heel portion plane at an angle of about 5degrees.

In at least one embodiment, the metatarsal portion extends along ametatarsal portion plane, the metatarsal portion plane being angledrelative to the heel portion plane at an angle of between about 9degrees and 19 degrees.

In at least one embodiment, the orthotic insole further includes atongue member extending forwardly from the front insole end of theinsole body, the front insole end having a first width and the tonguemember having a second width smaller than the first width.

In at least one embodiment, the orthotic insole further includes an archalignment member for receiving a user's foot arch, the arch alignmentmember extending upwardly from the top insole surface and extendingalong an inner body edge of the insole body.

In at least one embodiment, the arch alignment member includes a toparch member face for abutting the user's foot when the user's foot isreceived on the top insole surface and a bottom arch member face.

In at least one embodiment, the arch alignment member further includes aplurality of slots defined in the bottom arch member face, the slotsextending parallel to each other and substantially parallel to thecentral longitudinal body axis.

In at least one embodiment, the top arch member face is convexly curvedupwardly.

In at least one embodiment, the insole body includes a front insole edgelocated at the front insole end, the front insole edge beingsubstantially linear and is angled relative to the central longitudinalbody axis.

In at least one embodiment, the front insole edge is angled relative tothe central longitudinal body axis at an angle of an angle of betweenabout 70 degrees and 90 degrees.

In at least one embodiment, the front insole edge is angled relative tothe central longitudinal body axis at an angle of an angle of 76degrees.

In at least one embodiment, the insole body includes a styloid receivingrecess defined in the top insole surface, the styloid being positioned,sized and shaped to receive a fifth metatarsal styloid of the user'sfoot.

According to yet another aspect, there is also provided a method formanufacturing an orthotic insole, the method comprising: creating avirtual model of an orthotic insole as defined above; providing thevirtual model of the orthotic insole to a 3D printer; manufacturing theorthotic insole using the 3D printer based on the virtual model of theorthotic insole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top rear perspective view of an orthotic insole, inaccordance with one embodiment, in which the orthotic insole isconfigured for receiving a standard misaligned foot and in which theorthotic insole is configured for being received in footwear having astandard height heel;

FIG. 2 is a top front perspective view of the orthotic insoleillustrated in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3A is a top plan view of the orthotic insole illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B is another top plan view of the orthotic insole illustrated inFIG. 1 , showing a foot skeleton superimposed over the orthotic insole;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the orthotic insole illustrated in FIG.2 ;

FIG. 5A is an inner side elevation view of the orthotic insoleillustrated in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the orthotic insole,taken along cross-section line 5B-5B of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5C is a first transversal cross-sectional view of the orthoticinsole, taken along cross-section line 5C-5C of FIG. 5B;

FIG. 5D is a second transversal cross-section view of the orthoticinsole, taken along cross-section line 5D-5D of FIG. 5B;

FIG. 5E is a third transversal cross-section view of the orthoticinsole, taken along cross-section line 5E-5E of FIG. 5B;

FIG. 5F is a fourth transversal cross-section view of the orthoticinsole, taken along cross-section line 5F-5F of FIG. 5B;

FIG. 6 is an outer side elevation view of the orthotic insoleillustrated in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 7 is a top front perspective view of an orthotic insole, inaccordance with another embodiment, in which the orthotic insole isconfigured for being received in footwear having a high heel;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the orthotic insole illustrated in FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the orthotic insole,taken along cross-section line 9-9 of FIG. 8 ;

FIG. 10 is a top rear perspective view of an orthotic insole, inaccordance with another embodiment, in which the orthotic insole isconfigured to receive a misaligned foot having a deformed scaphoid;

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the orthotic insole illustrated in FIG.10 ;

FIG. 12 is an inner side elevation view of the orthotic insoleillustrated in FIG. 10 ;

FIG. 13 is a top front perspective view of an orthotic insole, inaccordance with another embodiment, in which the orthotic insole isconfigured to receive a misaligned foot having a hammertoe; and

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the orthotic insole illustrated in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated that, for simplicity and clarity of illustration,where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated amongthe figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements or steps. Inaddition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments described herein.However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art,that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without thesespecific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures andcomponents have not been described in detail so as not to obscure theembodiments described herein. Furthermore, this description is not to beconsidered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein inany way but rather as merely describing the implementation of thevarious embodiments described herein.

For the sake of simplicity and clarity, namely so as to not undulyburden the figures with several references numbers, not all figurescontain references to all the components and features, and references tosome components and features may be found in only one figure, andcomponents and features of the present disclosure which are illustratedin other figures can be easily inferred therefrom. The embodiments,geometrical configurations, materials mentioned and/or dimensions shownin the figures are optional, and are given for exemplification purposesonly.

Moreover, it will be appreciated that positional descriptions such as“above”, “below”, “top”, “bottom”, “forward”, “rearward” “left”, “right”and the like should, unless otherwise indicated, be taken in the contextof the figures and correspond to the position and orientation in theorthotic insole and corresponding parts when being used. Positionaldescriptions should not be considered limiting.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 6 , there is shown an orthotic insole 100,in accordance with one embodiment. The orthotic insole 100 is adapted tobe received in footwear, not shown, to support a user's foot whenstanding and/or during locomotion. The footwear could include, but isnot limited to, a shoe, a boot, a skate or the like as long as thechosen footwear maintains a parallel insole surface to the ground and asound biomechanical alignment.

In the illustrated embodiment, the orthotic insole 100 is shaped toreceive thereon a left foot of the user. It will be understood that theorthotic insole 100 could instead be shaped to receive a right foot ofthe user. Still in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 , theinsole body 102 is configured for receiving a misaligned foot of anadult user having a standard configuration. It would be understood thatthe term “standard configuration” refers a foot which does not presentany notable deformation, such as a hammertoe or the like. It willfurther be understood that the term “misaligned foot” refers to a footwhich is not in proper biomechanical alignment, which can cause a numberof health issues to the user. The orthotic insole 100 is configured suchthat when the orthotic insole 100 is received in the footwear and themisaligned foot is received in the footwear and on the orthotic insole100, the orthotic insole 100 urges the misaligned foot towards aconfiguration corresponding to a “healthy” foot, i.e. a foot which is inproper biomechanical alignment or human natural alignment, and therebycontributes to realigning the foot into proper biomechanical alignmentthrough repeated daily use of the orthotic insole 100.

The orthotic insole 100 includes an insole body 102 extending between afront body end 104 and a rear body end 106 opposite the front body end104. The insole 100 is configured to receive a user's foot such that thefront body end 104 is oriented towards the foot's toes while the rearbody end 106 is oriented towards the foot's heel. In the illustratedembodiment, the orthotic insole 100 further includes a tongue member 150extending forwardly from the insole body 102.

In the present description, the terms “longitudinal”, “longitudinally”and “lengthwise direction” are used to refer to a direction along alongitudinal body axis B extending substantially between the front andrear body ends 104, 106 when the orthotic insole 100 is viewed in a topplan view, as illustrated in FIG. 3 . The term “transversal”,“transversally” and “widthwise direction” as used hereinafter refer to adirection which is perpendicular to the above-described lengthwisedirection.

The insole body 102 includes a body edge 108 which delimits the insolebody 102. More specifically, the body edge 108 includes a front bodyedge 110 located at the front body end 104, a rear, curved edge portion112 located at the rear body end 106, and inner and outer side edgeportions 114, 116 extending between the front and rear edge portions110, 112. When the user's foot is received on the insole body 102, theinner and outer side edge portions 114, 116 are respectively locatedtowards a medial side and a lateral side of the foot.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , in the illustrated embodiment, thefront body edge 110 is substantially linear and extends between an innerfront edge end 118 located at the inner side edge portion 114 and anouter front edge end 120 located at the outer side edge portion 116. Thefront body edge 110 is not fully perpendicular to the longitudinal bodyaxis B, but is instead extends along a front edge axis F which is angledrelative to the longitudinal body axis B such that the inner front edgeend 118 is located further frontwardly than the outer front edge end120. In the illustrated embodiment, the front edge axis F is angledrelative to the longitudinal body axis B at an angle θ₁ of between about70 degrees and 90 degrees, and more specifically at an angle of about 76degrees. Alternatively, the front edge axis F could be angled at anyanother suitable angle or could even be perpendicular to thelongitudinal body axis B. In yet another embodiment, the front body edge110 may not be substantially linear and may instead be curved or haveany other suitable shape.

As further shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the insole body 102 has a top bodysurface 200 and a bottom body surface 202 opposite the top body surface200. The top and bottom body surfaces 200, 202 extend longitudinallybetween the front and rear edge portions 110, 112 and extendtransversely between the inner and outer side edge portions 114, 116.

The top body surface 200 is configured for receiving the user's footthereon. Specifically, the top body surface 200 includes a plurality oftop surface portions 300, 400, 500, 600 which are configured relative toeach other in accordance with a predetermined configuration.

The bottom body surface 202 is configured to be received on a footwear'sinsole. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the bottom body surface202 is configured relative to a configuration of the footwear such thatwhen the orthotic insole 100 is received in the footwear, on thefootwear's insole, and when the footwear is positioned on asubstantially planar ground surface extending along a ground plane, thetop surface portions 300, 400, 500, 600 of the insole body 102 areangled at predetermined angles relative to a ground plane. In someembodiments, the bottom body surface 202 is therefore arced according toan arch corresponding to an arch of the footwear in which the orthoticinsole 100 is to be received.

It will be appreciated that while most existing foot orthotics are madeto conform to a foot configuration of a particular user, the orthoticinsole 100 is instead made to conform to a standard corresponding footconfiguration that would be desirable for the user's foot. Specifically,the top body surface 200 is configured to substantially conform tocontours of an underside of a “healthy” foot, i.e. a foot which is inproper biomechanical alignment. When used by a user having a misalignedfoot, i.e. a foot which is not in proper biomechanical alignment, thisorthotic insole 100 will urge the user's foot received on the top bodysurface 200 to conform to the top body surface 200 and will therebycontribute to realigning the foot into proper biomechanical alignmentthrough repeated and/or prolonged use of the orthotic insole 100.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 , the top body surface 200includes a heel portion 300 extending forwardly from the rear body end106, a calcaneal inclination portion 400 extending forwardly from theheel portion 300, a midfoot portion 500 extending forwardly from thecalcaneal inclination portion 400 and a forefoot portion 600 extendingforwardly from the midfoot portion 400. All portions 300, 400, 500, 600of the top body surface 200 are configured to receive a correspondingportion of the user's foot.

FIG. 3B shows a user's foot, and more specifically a skeleton of theuser's foot 10 showing the foot's bones, superimposed over the top bodysurface 200 in a position corresponding to the insole being received infootwear and with the user's foot received on the top body surface 200.

As is known to the skilled addressee, the foot 10 includes a calcaneusbone 12 located towards a rear end of the foot, a navicular bone 14disposed frontwardly of the calcaneus bone 12, and first to fifthmetatarsal bones 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 extending frontwardly of thenavicular bone 14.

The top body surface 200 is sized and shaped such that the portions 300,400, 500, 600 of the top body surface 200 are each positioned accordingto a predetermined position relative to the user's foot received on thetop body surface 200.

More specifically, the heel portion 300 is sized to receive the user'sheel such that a rear end of the user's calcaneus bone 12 issubstantially aligned with the rear body end 106. Specifically, the heelportion 300 extends between a rear heel portion rear end 302substantially aligned with the rear body end 106 and a front heelportion end 304 located towards the front body end 104.

The calcaneal inclination portion 400 is sized to receive a portion ofthe user's foot extending substantially between the base of the user'scalcaneus bone 12 and a rear end of the user's navicular bone 14.Specifically, the calcaneal inclination portion 400 includes a rearcalcaneal inclination portion end 402 located toward the rear body end106 and a front calcaneal inclination portion end 404 located towardsthe front body end 104. The rear calcaneal inclination portion end 402coincides with the front heel portion end 304 and meets the front heelportion end 304 at a rear portion delimitation line L₁ substantiallydelimiting the calcaneal inclination portion 400 from the heel portion300.

The midfoot portion 500 is sized to receive a portion of the user's footextending substantially between the rear end of the user's navicularbone 14 and the user's tarsometatarsal joints, and more specifically thetarsometatarsal joint of the user's second metatarsal bone 20. Morespecifically, the midfoot portion 500 includes a rear midfoot portionend 502 located toward the rear body end 106 and a front midfoot portionend 504 located towards the front body end 104. The rear midfoot portionend 502 coincides with the front calcaneal inclination portion end 404and meets the front calcaneal inclination portion end 404 at a firstintermediate portion delimitation line L₂ substantially delimiting themidfoot portion 500 from the calcaneal inclination portion 400.

The metatarsal portion 600 is sized to receive a portion of the user'sfoot extending between the user's tarsometatarsal joints and the frontbody edge 110. More specifically, the metatarsal portion 600 includes arear metatarsal portion end 602 oriented towards the rear body end 106,and a front metatarsal portion end 604 oriented towards the front bodyend 104 and coinciding with the front body edge 110. The rear metatarsalportion end 502 coincides with the front midfoot portion end 504 andmeets the front midfoot portion end 504 at a second intermediate portiondelimitation line L₃ substantially delimiting the metatarsal portion 600from the midfoot portion 500.

As best shown in FIG. 3A, in the illustrated embodiment, the top bodysurface 200 is configured such that each one of the rear, firstintermediate and second intermediate delimitation lines L₁, L₂, L₃extend substantially parallel to each other.

The orthotic insole 100 is configured such that, when the user's foot isreceived on the top body surface 200, the front edge axis F of the frontbody edge 110 extends behind the head of the first and fifth metatarsalbones 18, 26. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, thetongue member 150 extending frontwardly from the front body edge 110 andis substantially sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of atleast some of the foot's metatarsal bones 18-26. In the illustratedembodiment, the tongue member 150 does not extend along the entire widthof the front body edge 110. In one embodiment, the tongue member 150 hasa width corresponding to about 30% of a width of the front body edge110. Alternatively, the tongue member 150 could be sized and shapeddifferently.

Still in the illustrated embodiment, the tongue member 150 is sized andshaped for receiving a portion of the second, third and fourthmetatarsal bones 20, 22, 24 and corresponding phalanges when the foot isreceived on the top body surface 200. More specifically, the tonguemember 150 is substantially shorter than the foot's second, third andfourth toes such that the second, third and fourth toes extend beyondthe tongue member 150. Alternatively, the tongue member 150 couldinstead extend to the tip of the foot's second, third and fourth toes.

It will therefore be appreciated that when the orthotic insole 100 ispositioned in footwear against the footwear's insole and the user's footis received on the top body surface 200, the user's foot does notentirely contact the top body surface 200. In other words, a firstportion of the user's foot contacts the top body surface 200 and asecond portion of the user's foot does not contact the top body surface200 and instead directly contacts the footwear's insole. In theillustrated embodiment, the heads of the first and fifth metatarsalbones 18, 26 and the corresponding phalanges are in contact with thefootwear's insole on either side of the tongue member 150. Moreover, thefront body edge 110 is further sized and shaped to abut the heads of thefirst and fifth metatarsal bones 18, 26 of the standard healthy foot.

It will therefore be appreciated that when a misaligned foot is receivedon the top body surface 200, the first and fifth metatarsal bones 18, 26will be naturally guided towards the front of the front body edge 110and will abut the front body edge as would a standard healthy foot. Thefront body edge 110 thereby creates pressure points on the first andfifth metatarsal bones 18, 26 which will contribute to the realignmentof the misaligned foot during use of the orthotic insole 100.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tongue member 150 includes a pair ofside edges 152 which are substantially straight and which extendsubstantially parallel to each other. The tongue member 150 furtherincludes a front arcuate edge 154 connecting together the side edges152. The tongue member 150 also includes a top tongue surface 156 and abottom tongue surface 158 extending opposite the top tongue surface 156.In the illustrated embodiment, the top and bottom tongue surfaces 156,158 are substantially coplanar respectively with the top and bottom bodysurfaces 200, 202 so as to define forward extensions of the top andbottom body surfaces 200, 202.

In the illustrated embodiment, the side and front edges 152, 154 of thetongue member 150 and the front body edge 110 are substantially beveledto improve the user's comfort. Alternatively, the side and front edges152, 154 of the tongue member 150 and the front body edge 110 couldinstead be rounded or be substantially square.

It will further be understood that since the tongue member 150 does notextend along the entire width of the front body edge 110, the tonguemember 150 offers less resistance to bending and therefore facilitatesthe flexion of the foot along the metatarsophalangeal joint between thefoot's metatarsal bones 18-26 and corresponding phalanges.Alternatively, the orthotic insole 100 could include a hinge, such as alive hinge, between the tongue member 150 and the insole body 200 tofurther reduce the resistance of the orthotic insole 100 to bending. Inyet another embodiment, the tongue member 150 could be configuredaccording to various alternative shapes and sizes. For example, insteadof being parallel to each other, the side edges 152 of the tongue member152 could instead diverge from each other from the front body edge 110towards the front edge 154 of the tongue member 150. In still anotherembodiment, the orthotic insole 100 may not include a tongue member 150,such that the heads of all the metatarsal bones 18-26 and thecorresponding phalanges are in contact with the footwear's insole.

In the illustrated embodiment, the insole body 102 further includes astyloid receiving recess 800 defined in the top body surface 200. Thestyloid receiving recess 800 is sized, shaped and located to receive thefoot's styloid process located on the fifth metatarsal bone 26 when thefoot is received on the top body surface 200. The styloid receivingrecess 800 thereby allows the styloid recess to sit lower than the restof the user's foot to thereby improve the user's comfort. In theillustrated embodiment, the styloid receiving recess 800 is adjacent tothe outer side edge portion 116 of the insole body 102 and issubstantially elongated. Specifically, the styloid receiving recess 800includes a styloid recess bottom surface 802 which is substantiallyplanar and a styloid recess sidewall 804 surrounding the styloid recessbottom surface 802. The styloid recess sidewall 804 includes an outersidewall segment 806 which extends along the outer side edge portion 116of the insole body 102, an inner sidewall edge segment 808 which isspaced from the outer sidewall segment 806 and which extends generallyparallel to the outer sidewall edge segment 804, and rear and frontsidewall edge segments 810, 812 extending between the inner and outersidewall edge segment 806, 808. In the illustrated embodiment, the frontsidewall edge segment 812 extends substantially parallel to the frontbody edge 110 of the insole body 102, and the rear sidewall edge segment810 extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal body axis Bof the insole body 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the styloidrecess sidewall 804 is bevelled to prevent otherwise sharp edges fromcausing discomfort to the user when the user's foot is received on thetop body surface 200. Alternatively, the orthotic insole 100 may notinclude a styloid receiving recess 800.

Still in the illustrated embodiment, the orthotic insole 100 furtherincludes an arch alignment member 900 extending upwardly from the insolebody 102 for receiving the foot's arch such that the user's foot ispositioned in an appropriate position and alignment when received on theorthotic insole 100. Specifically, the arch alignment member 900 isconfigured such that when the user's foot is received on the orthoticinsole 100, the arch alignment member 900 will guide the user's footinto the alignment illustrated in FIG. 3B, in which the head of thefirst metatarsal bone 18 is properly positioned forward of the frontbody edge 110 and inwardly from the tongue member 150 and in which thesecond metatarsal bone 20 is substantially aligned towards a centralaxis of a user's foot which would be positioned in its naturalalignment. This will in turn lead to the heads of all five metatarsalbones 18-26 to be properly positioned forwardly of the front body edge110.

In the illustrated embodiment, the arch alignment member 900 issubstantially elongated and extends along the inner side edge portion114 of the insole body 102, substantially between the front body edge110 and the rear portion delimitation line L₁. As best shown in FIGS. 5Dand 5E, in the illustrated embodiment, the arch alignment member 900 isangled away from the top body surface 200 such that it extends away fromthe outer side edge portion 116 as it extends upwardly. Specifically,the arch alignment member 900 is angled at an angle of between 35degrees and 55 degrees, and more specifically at an angle of about 45degrees relative to the top body surface 200. Alternatively, the archalignment member 900 could be angled away from the top body surface 200at any other suitable angle.

The arch alignment member 900 includes a top arch member face 902 whichis convexly curved upwardly to conform to the foot's arch and a bottomarch member face 904 extending opposite the top arch member face 902. Asbest shown in FIG. 5A, the arch alignment member 900 further includes aplurality of arch member slots 906 extending in the bottom arch memberface 904 and towards the top arch member face 902. Specifically, thearch member slots 906 are spaced from each other vertically and extendgenerally parallel to the top body surface 200. It will be appreciatedthat while the arch alignment member 900 exerts a force on the foot'sarch, the arch member slots 906 still substantially provide at least aslight flexibility to the arch alignment member 900 to further enhancecomfort for the user. This flexibility of the arch alignment member 900provided by the arch member slots 906 can further prevent excessivepressure on the user's foot which could position the user's foot in anundesirable inversion position, in which the user's ankle could beoverly rotated outwardly about a longitudinal axis of the foot.

In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of arch member slots 906include two arch member slots 906, as shown in FIG. 5A, butalternatively, the arch alignment member 900 could instead include asingle arch member slot or more than two arch member slots. In anotherembodiment, the arch alignment member 900 may not include any slot.Specifically, the arch alignment member 900 may instead have any otherconfiguration and/or be made from a material selected to as to providethe arch alignment member 900 with the desired flexibility. For example,in one embodiment, the arch alignment member 900 is configured such thatwhen a force corresponding to 60 kg is applied downwardly to theorthotic body 100, a portion of the force corresponding to about 8% orapproximately 50N is applied uniformly along the top arch member face902 and thus the arch alignment member 900 and the arch alignment member900 is deformed with a maximum displacement of less than approximately4.5 mm. This configuration allows the arch alignment member 900 to beflexible enough to prevent the user's foot from being urged towards anundesirable inversion position, as described above, while being rigidenough to guide the user's foot into proper alignment as intended.Alternatively, the arch alignment member 900 could be deformed with amaximum displacement of more than approximately 4.5 mm when a forcecorresponding to 60 kg is applied downwardly to the orthotic body 100such that a portion of the force corresponding to about 8% orapproximately 50N is applied uniformly along the top arch member face902 and thus the arch alignment member 900. In yet another embodiment,the orthotic insole 100 may not even include an arch alignment member900.

In the illustrated embodiment, the orthotic insole 100 further includesan outer lateral wall 1000 extending along the outer side edge portion116 of the insole body 102, substantially between the front body edge110 and rear portion delimitation line L₁. More specifically, the outerlateral wall 1000 extends upwardly from the top body surface 200 andopposite the arch alignment member 900 such that when the foot isreceived on the top body surface 200, the foot is held laterally betweenthe outer lateral wall 1000 and the arch alignment member 900. The outerlateral wall 1000 therefore further contributes to positioning the footin a proper position on the top body surface 200. As best shown in FIG.5D, the outer lateral wall 1000 does not extend fully perpendicular tothe top body surface 200, but is instead angled slightly outwardly.Alternatively, the outer lateral wall 1000 could instead extendsubstantially perpendicular to the top body surface 200, or have anyother suitable configuration. In yet another embodiment, the orthoticinsole 100 may not include an outer lateral wall 1000.

In the illustrated embodiment, in addition to being sized according todifferent features of a corresponding foot, the portions 300, 400, 500,600 of the top body surface 200 are further angled relative to eachother so as to support properly the corresponding foot in a desired or“neutral” position when the foot is received on the top body surface200. More specifically, each portion 300, 400, 500, 600 is substantiallyplanar and is angled relative to the other portions 300, 400, 500, 600at a predetermined angle to define slopes in the top body surface 200between the front body end 104 and the rear body end 106. It will beunderstood that the term “substantially planar” does not mean that theportions 300, 400, 500, 600 are fully and exactly planar. One or more ofthe portions 300, 400, 500, 600 could instead be slightly curved tooffer better support or increased comfort for the user's foot, as is thecase in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5B. In this case, thedelimitation between adjacent portions 300, 400, 500, 600 may be definedby a significant change in angle, curvature or curvature directionbetween the adjacent portions 300, 400, 500, 600.

It will further be understood that although the top surface portions300, 400, 500, 600 are described herein as separate portions of the topbody surface 200 that are angled relative to each other, the top bodysurface 200 extends substantially continuously and smoothly between thefront and rear body ends 104, 106 with no substantial discernibledelimitation between the top surface portions 300, 400, 500, 600 tocreate a comfortable surface for the user's foot to be received on.Alternatively, the top body surface 200 could instead include one ormore discernible delimitation between at least two adjacent portions300, 400, 500, 600. These one or more discernible delimitations couldinclude a relatively sharp edge, a transition portion including one ormore angled planar portions or any other type of discontinuity.

The inclinations of the portions 300, 400, 500, 600 of the top bodysurface 200 corresponding to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6are best shown in FIG. 5B. In this embodiment, the orthotic insole 100is configured to be received in footwear having a standard heel height,which corresponds to a heel height of approximately 12.7 mm. In thisembodiment, the heel portion 300 extends substantially along a heelportion plane P₁ and the calcaneal inclination portion 400 extendssubstantially along a calcaneal inclination portion plane P₂. In thisembodiment, both the heel portion 300 and the calcaneal inclinationportion 400 are substantially planar as defined above, although thecalcaneal inclination portion 400 has a more pronounced curvature thanthe heel portion 300 which has little to no curvature. As shown in FIG.5B, the calcaneal inclination portion plane P₂ is angled upwardly fromheel portion plane P₁ such that the calcaneal inclination portion 400extends substantially upwardly from the heel portion 300. In theillustrated embodiment, the planes P₁ and P₂ are angled relative to eachother at an angle θ₂ of about between 3 and 7 degrees, and morespecifically of about 5 degrees. Still in this embodiment, themetatarsal portion 600 extends substantially along a metatarsal portionplane P₃. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5B, the metatarsal portionplane P₃ extends substantially tangentially to the metatarsal portion600 at the rear metatarsal portion end 602. In this embodiment, themetatarsal portion plane P₃ is angled relative to the heel portion planeP₁ at an angle θ₃ of between about 12 degrees and 16 degrees, and morespecifically at an angle of about 13.5 degrees.

In the illustrated embodiment, although the top surface portions 300,400, 500, 600 are angled relative to each other such that they slopeupwardly or downwardly from the rear body end 106 to the front body end104, the top body surface 200 extends in a straight line transversely(i.e. in a widthwise direction) at every location along the length ofthe orthotic insole 100. Moreover, the top body surface 200 issubstantially untwisted along its length between the front and rear bodyends 104, 106 such that the top body surface 200 remains leveled in awidthwise direction as the top body surface 200 extends from the frontinsole end 104 to the rear insole end 106. In other words, the top bodysurface 200 does not turn or twist about a longitudinal axis of theinsole body 102 or about any other axis as it extends along the betweenthe front insole end 104 to the rear insole end 106.

For example, FIGS. 5C and 5D show transversal cross-sections of theorthotic insole 100 taken respectively at a location in the heel portion300 and in the calcaneal inclination portion 400 of the top body surface200. It can be appreciated that at these locations, the top body surface200 is entirely straight as it extends transversely (i.e. in a widthwisedirection) between the inner and outer side edge portions 114, 116 ofthe insole body 102. Axes A₁ and A₂ are provided in FIGS. 5C and 5D toshow the orientation of the top body surface 200 at these locations.More specifically, the axes A₁ and A₂ extend transversely along the topbody surface 200 at the locations of the orthotic insole 100 illustratedin FIGS. 5C and 5D, respectively. As explained above, since the top bodysurface 200 is untwisted along its entire length, the axes A₁ and A₂ aresubstantially parallel to each other.

FIG. 5E shows a transversal cross-section of the orthotic insole 100taken at a location in the calcaneal inclination portion 400 of the topbody surface 200. It can be appreciated that at this location, the topbody surface 200 is still entirely straight as it extends transversely(i.e. in a widthwise direction) between the inner and outer side edgeportions 114, 116 of the insole body 102. The orientation of the topbody surface 200 at this location is illustrated by axis A₃ whichextends transversely along the top body surface 200. Since the top bodysurface 200 is untwisted along its entire length, axis A₃ is thereforealso substantially parallel to axes A₁ and A₂.

As further shown in FIG. 5E, the styloid recess bottom surface 802 ofthe styloid receiving recess 800 is also entirely straight as it extendstransversely (i.e. in a widthwise direction) between the inner and outerside edge portions 808, 806 of the styloid receiving recess 800 and, inthe illustrated embodiment, the styloid recess bottom surface 802further extends parallel to the forefoot portion 500 of the top bodysurface 200. Alternatively, the styloid recess bottom surface 802 couldinstead be substantially concavely curved or have any other suitableconfiguration.

As shown in FIG. 5F, in this embodiment, the top tongue surface 156 ofthe tongue member 150 is also entirely straight as it extendstransversely (i.e. in a widthwise direction) between the side edges 152of the tongue member 150, as shown by axis A₄ which extends transverselyalong the top tongue surface 156. In the illustrated embodiment, the toptongue surface 156 is further untwisted relative to the top body surface200, such that the axis A₄ is also substantially parallel to axes A₁, A₂and A₃. Alternatively, instead of being straight in the widthwisedirection, the top tongue surface 156 could be substantially concavelycurved or have any other suitable configuration.

It will be understood that the locations at which the cross-sectionsshown in FIGS. 5C to 5E are taken are merely taken as examples, and thatany axis extending transversely along the top body surface 200 at anylocation along the insole body 102 would be substantially parallel tothe axes A₁, A₂ and A₃ and to any other axis extending transverselyalong the top body surface 200 at any other location along the insolebody 102.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 , the orthotic insole 100is configured to be received in footwear having a standard heel height,which corresponds to a heel height of approximately 12.7 mm. In otherembodiments, the orthotic insole could instead be configured to bereceived in footwear having any heel height between 0 mm and 38.1 mm, oreven a heel height greater than 38.1 mm. The orthotic insole 100 couldfurther be configured to be received in footwear having any footwearsize between US size 00 infant to US size 16 men, or even having afootwear size greater than US size 16 men.

FIGS. 7 to 9 show an orthotic insole 2000, in accordance with anotherembodiment. In this embodiment, the orthotic insole 2000 is generallysimilar to the orthotic insole 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 , exceptthat instead of being configured to be received in footwear having astandard height heel, the orthotic insole 2000 is configured to bereceived in footwear having a high heel, and more specifically having aheel height of between about 31.75 mm and 32.10 mm.

Specifically, the orthotic insole 2000 includes an insole body 2002 anda tongue member 2004 extending frontwardly from the insole body 2002.The insole body 2002 includes a top body surface 2010 for receiving afoot of a user and a bottom body surface 2012 configured to be receivedon a footwear's insole. Similar to the top body surface 200, the topbody surface 2010 includes a heel portion 2020, a calcaneal inclinationportion 2030 located forwardly of the heel portion 2020, a midfootportion 2040 located forwardly of the calcaneal inclination portion 2030and a metatarsal portion 2050 located forwardly of the midfoot portion2040.

In this embodiment, the tongue member 2004 is angled relative to themetatarsal portion 2050 at a substantially greater angle than the tonguemember 150 of the orthotic insole 100 relative to the metatarsal portion600 to conform to a greater angle of the phalanges with respect tocorresponding metatarsal bones of the foot when using a high heelfootwear.

Still in this embodiment, the heel portion 2020 extends substantiallyalong a heel portion plane P₁′ and the calcaneal inclination portion2030 extends substantially along a calcaneal inclination portion planeP₂′. Specifically, the planes P₁′ and P₂′ are substantially angledrelative to each other at an angle θ₂′ of about between 3 and 7 degrees,and more specifically of about 5 degrees, similarly to the planes P₁ andP₂ of the orthotic insole 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 . Still inthis embodiment, the metatarsal portion 600 extends substantially alonga metatarsal portion plane P₃ which is angled relative to the heelportion plane P₁ at an angle θ₃′ of between about 15 degrees and 19degrees, and more specifically at an angle of about 17.5 degrees.

It will be understood that the angles between the portions andcurvatures of the portions of the top body surface may vary slightly inaccordance with the heel height of the footwear in which the orthoticinsole is to be received but will substantially have the same overallconfiguration regardless of the heel height. It will also be appreciatedthat the length and width of the insole body may vary in accordance withthe length or width of the footwear or of the user's foot, but that theangles between the portions of the top body surface will not vary inaccordance with the length or width of the footwear or of the user'sfoot.

Turning now to FIGS. 10 to 12 , there is shown an orthotic insole 3000,in accordance with another embodiment. The orthotic insole 3000 issubstantially similar to the orthotic insole 100 and includes an insolebody 3002 and a tongue member 3004 extending forwardly from the insolebody 3002. The orthotic insole 3000 further includes an arch member 3010extending substantially upwardly from the insole body 3002 and between afront arch end 3006 and a rear arch end 3008. In this embodiment,instead of extending continuously between the front and rear arch ends,the arch member 3010 includes a central gap 3050 sized and shaped toaccommodate a deformed styloid process of the misaligned foot. It willbe appreciated that without this central arch gap 3050, the arch maycreate an undesirable pressure point on the deformed styloid process ofthe first metatarsal bone. This configuration therefore enhances theuser's comfort.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14 , there is shown an orthotic insole4000, in accordance with another embodiment. In this embodiment, theorthotic insole 4000 is substantially similar to the orthotic insole 100and includes an insole body 4002 and a tongue member 4004 extendingforwardly from the insole body 4002. Specifically, the insole body 4002includes a top body surface 4010 which is substantially similar to thetop body surface 4010 of the orthotic insole 100.

However, in this embodiment, the orthotic insole 4000 is configured toreceive a foot having a hammertoe, i.e. an abnormal bend found in themiddle joint of at least one of the second, third, fourth and fifthtoes. Specifically, it will be understood that if the tongue member 4004was configured similarly to the tongue member 150 of the orthotic insole100 described above, the tongue member 150 would place undesirablepressure on the toes and thereby cause discomfort to the user.Therefore, the tongue member 4004 of the present orthotic insole 4000 issubstantially shorter than the tongue member 150 of the orthotic insole100, and more specifically, does not extend beyond the middle joint ofthe second, third and fourth toes such that the hammertoe may contactthe footwear's insole instead of being elevated above the footwear'sinsole by the tongue member 4004.

It will be appreciated that the orthotic insoles 100, 2000, 3000, 4000described hereinabove all can be manufactured without a detailedanalysis of the specific configuration of the misaligned foot to berealigned. Instead, the orthotic insoles 100, 2000, 3000, 4000 can bemanufactured using a limited number of fabrication parameters includinga length and width of the foot—which can be measured or determined fromthe user's shoe size—a height of the heel of the footwear with which theorthotic insole is to be used and whether the foot has any notabledeformations such as a deformed scaphoid or a hammertoe. This maygreatly reduce the time and resources required to manufacture theorthotic insole.

In one embodiment, a certain quantity of orthotic insoles could beprefabricated in accordance with certain fabrication parameters andstocked, and further provided to users whose misaligned foot compared tothe fabrication parameters of the orthotic insoles. For example, it maybe desirable to prefabricate and store a stock of orthotic insoles 100configured for footwear having a standard height heel and for a foothaving no notable deformations in a number of common shoe sizes and footwidths. This may further reduce the time and cost required tomanufacture the orthotic insole.

In one embodiment, in addition to selecting an appropriate orthoticinsole configuration according to a heel height of the footwear in whichthe orthotic insole is to be used, the orthotic insole 100, 2000, 3000,4000 could further be at least slightly adapted in accordance with otherparameters of the footwear. For example, the configuration of the bottombody surface of the orthotic insole and/or of the tongue member could beadjusted depending on a toe lift-off angle or of a heel wedge angle ofthe footwear. In some embodiments, one or more wedges could further bepositioned at predetermined positions and configurations inside thefootwear, under the orthotic insole 100, to position and orient theuser's foot and/or ankle according to a desired position andorientation. In these embodiments, the footwear's central axis alignmentmay be taken into consideration to avoid reducing the orthotics'efficiency in successfully achieving a proper biomechanical alignment.

In the embodiments illustrated hereinabove, the orthotic insole 100 isfurther made from a single, monolithic piece of material butalternatively, the orthotic insole 100 could be made from a plurality ofdistinct pieces assembled together using a suitable assembly techniquesuch as gluing or the like.

In one embodiment, the orthotic insole 100 is further made from asemi-rigid material, rather than a fully rigid material. This allows theorthotic insole 100 to be rigid enough to urge the misaligned foot intoproper alignment to thereby realign the foot, but also soft enough tocontinue to provide a proper biomechanical alignment to the foot underdifferent unequal terrain conditions, and to provide shock absorptionproperties for the user's comfort. In one embodiment, the orthoticinsole 100 is made from cork or from an elastomeric material such asethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, rubber, thermoplastic polyurethane(TPU) or the like. Specifically, in one embodiment, the insole body 102has a hardness value of between about 50 and 120 on the Shore Adurometer scale. More specifically, the insole body 102 may have ahardness value of between about 60 and 70 on the Shore A durometerscale, or a hardness value of between about 85 and 95 on the Shore Adurometer scale. Alternatively, the orthotic insole 100 may be made fromany other suitable material.

In one embodiment, the orthotic insole 100 is made by additivemanufacturing, also known as 3D printing. Specifically, in accordancewith a first step of a method for manufacturing an orthotic insole, avirtual model of the orthotic insole 100 may first be provided. Thevirtual model may be created in accordance with one or more fabricationparameters of the misaligned foot such as a length and width of the footand an indication of whether the foot includes any notable deformation.In one embodiment, the length and width of the foot may be measured onthe user using a measuring tool such as a Ritz scale or the like. Usingthese fabrication parameters, the virtual model of the orthotic insole100 may then be created using a suitable program provided on aprocessing unit such as a personal computer. In another embodiment,instead of creating the virtual model based on the fabricationparameters, the virtual model could instead be selected from a databaseof preformed virtual models based on the fabrication parameters.Alternatively, the virtual model may be created using a scan of theuser's foot and/or lower limbs, one or more photographs of the user'sfoot and/or lower limbs, or any other technique to obtain at least oneparameter of the user's foot and/or lower limbs such as the lengthand/or width of the foot. In this embodiment, the acquired data relatedto the user's foot and/or lower limbs enables the creation andmodification of a 3D model using a 3D modeling platform, with themodifications being based on acquired measurements of the foot andpostural deficiency data observed and analysed by means of artificialintelligence and/or extensive human experience which help to generatethe final required virtual model.

According to another step of the method, the virtual model is thenprovided to a 3D printer and the orthotic insole is manufactured usingthe 3D printer.

Alternatively, instead of being manufactured by additive manufacturing,the orthotic insole 100 could be made using another appropriatemanufacturing process such as molding, overmolding or the like.

While the above description provides examples of the embodiments, itwill be appreciated that some features and/or functions of the describedembodiments are susceptible to modification without departing from thespirit and principles of operation of the described embodiments.Accordingly, what has been described above has been intended to beillustrative and non-limiting and it will be understood by personsskilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention as defined in theclaims appended hereto.

1. An orthotic insole comprising: an insole body receivable in afootwear, the insole body having a front body end, a rear body endopposite the front body end, a top body surface for receiving a foot ofthe user and a bottom surface configured to be received on an insole ofthe footwear, the top insole surface including a plurality of topsurface portions, each top surface portion being substantially angledrelative to an adjacent top surface portion, the top surface beingsubstantially untwisted along its length between the front and rear bodyends such that the top surface remains leveled in a widthwise directionas the top body surface extends from the front body end to the rear bodyend.
 2. The orthotic insole as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pluralityof surface portions includes a heel portion extending forwardly from therear end to receive a heel of a user thereon, the heel portion having arear end located at the rear end of the insole and a front end, the heelportion extending along a heel portion plane.
 3. The orthotic insole asclaimed in claim 2, wherein the plurality of surface portions furtherincludes a calcaneal inclination portion extending forwardly from theheel portion, the calcaneal inclination portion having a rear endlocated at the front end of the heel portion and a front end, thecalcaneal inclination portion extending forwardly and upwardly from theheel portion.
 4. The orthotic insole as claimed in claim 3, wherein thecalcaneal inclination portion extends along a calcaneal inclinationportion plane, the calcaneal inclination portion plane being angledupwardly relative to the heel portion plane.
 5. The orthotic insole asclaimed in claim 4, wherein the calcaneal inclination portion plane isangled relative to the heel portion plane at an angle of between about 3degrees and 7 degrees.
 6. The orthotic insole as claimed in claim 5,wherein the calcaneal inclination portion plane is angled relative tothe heel portion plane at an angle of about 5 degrees.
 7. The orthoticinsole as claimed in wherein the plurality of surface portions furtherincludes a midfoot portion extending forwardly from the calcanealinclination portion, the midfoot portion having a rear end located atthe front end of the heel portion and a front end.
 8. The orthoticinsole as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plurality of surface portionsfurther includes a metatarsal portion extending forwardly from themidfoot portion, the metatarsal portion having a rear end located at thefront end of the midfoot portion and a front end, the metatarsal portionextending downwardly from the rear end to the front end thereof.
 9. Theorthotic insole as claimed in claim 8, wherein the metatarsal portionextends along a metatarsal portion plane, the metatarsal portion planebeing angled relative to the heel portion plane at an angle of betweenabout 9 degrees and 19 degrees.
 10. The orthotic insole as claimed inclaim 9, wherein the metatarsal portion plane is angled relative to theheel portion plane at an angle of about 13.5 degrees.
 11. The orthoticinsole as claimed in claim 1, wherein further including a tongue memberextending forwardly from the front insole end of the insole body, thefront insole end having a first width and the tongue member having asecond width smaller than the first width.
 12. The orthotic insole asclaimed in claim 1, further including an arch alignment member forreceiving a user's foot arch, the arch alignment member extendingupwardly from the top insole surface and extending along an inner bodyedge of the insole body.
 13. The orthotic insole as claimed in claim 12,wherein the arch alignment member includes a top arch member face forabutting the user's foot when the user's foot is received on the topinsole surface and a bottom arch member face, the arch alignment memberfurther including a plurality of slots defined in the bottom arch memberface, the slots extending parallel to each other and substantiallyparallel to the central longitudinal body axis.
 14. (canceled) 15.(canceled)
 16. The orthotic insole as claimed in claim 1, wherein theinsole body includes a front insole edge located at the front insoleend, the front insole edge being substantially linear and is angledrelative to the central longitudinal body axis.
 17. The orthotic insoleas claimed in claim 16, wherein the front insole edge is angled relativeto the central longitudinal body axis at an angle of an angle of betweenabout 70 degrees and 90 degrees.
 18. (canceled)
 19. The orthotic insoleas claimed in claim 1, wherein the insole body includes a styloidreceiving recess defined in the top insole surface, the styloid beingpositioned, sized and shaped to receive a fifth metatarsal styloid ofthe user's foot.
 20. (canceled)
 21. An orthotic insole comprising: aninsole body receivable in a footwear, the insole body extending betweenfront and rear insole ends and along a central longitudinal body axis,the insole body further including a top insole surface for receiving auser's foot and a bottom insole surface configured to be received on afootwear's insole, the top insole surface including: a heel portionextending forwardly from the rear insole end to receive a heel of a userthereon, the heel portion having a rear end located at the rear insoleend and a front end, the heel portion extending along a heel portionplane; a calcaneal inclination portion extending forwardly from the heelportion, the calcaneal inclination portion having a rear end located atthe front end of the heel portion and a front end, the calcanealinclination portion extending forwardly and upwardly from the heelportion; a midfoot portion extending forwardly from the calcanealinclination portion, the midfoot portion having a rear end located atthe front end of the heel portion and a front end; and a metatarsalportion extending forwardly from the midfoot portion, the metatarsalportion having a rear end located at the front end of the midfootportion and a front end, the metatarsal portion extending downwardlyfrom the rear end to the front end thereof.
 22. The orthotic insole asclaimed in claim 21, wherein the calcaneal inclination portion plane isangled relative to the heel portion plane at an angle of between about 3degrees and 7 degrees.
 23. The orthotic insole as claimed in claim 22,wherein the calcaneal inclination portion plane is angled relative tothe heel portion plane at an angle of about 5 degrees.
 24. The orthoticinsole as claimed in claim 21, wherein the metatarsal portion extendsalong a metatarsal portion plane, the metatarsal portion plane beingangled relative to the heel portion plane at an angle of between about 9degrees and 19 degrees.
 25. The orthotic insole as claimed in claim 21,wherein further including a tongue member extending forwardly from thefront insole end of the insole body, the front insole end having a firstwidth and the tongue member having a second width smaller than the firstwidth.
 26. The orthotic insole as claimed in claim 21, further includingan arch alignment member for receiving a user's foot arch, the archalignment member extending upwardly from the top insole surface andextending along an inner body edge of the insole body.
 27. The orthoticinsole as claimed in claim 26, wherein the arch alignment memberincludes a top arch member face for abutting the user's foot when theuser's foot is received on the top insole surface and a bottom archmember face, the arch alignment member further including a plurality ofslots defined in the bottom arch member face, the slots extendingparallel to each other and substantially parallel to the centrallongitudinal body axis.
 28. (canceled)
 29. (canceled)
 30. The orthoticinsole as claimed in claim 21, wherein the insole body includes a frontinsole edge located at the front insole end, the front insole edge beingsubstantially linear and is angled relative to the central longitudinalbody axis.
 31. (canceled)
 32. (canceled)
 33. The orthotic insole asclaimed in claim 21, wherein the insole body includes a styloidreceiving recess defined in the top insole surface, the styloid beingpositioned, sized and shaped to receive a fifth metatarsal styloid ofthe user's foot.
 34. A method for manufacturing an orthotic insole, themethod comprising: creating a virtual model of an orthotic insole inaccordance with claim 1; providing the virtual model of the orthoticinsole to a 3D printer; manufacturing the orthotic insole using the 3Dprinter based on the virtual model of the orthotic insole.